Leading British mosques condemn Islamic State

A number of Britain's leading mosques have issued a joint statement condemning the "inexcusable actions" of the Islamic State militant group.

The East London Mosque was among those to issue the statement. Credit: Sean Dempsey/PA Archive

The statement said the group's actions were "far from the teachings of Islam" and urged young Muslims "not to contemplate going to Iraq or Syria to join IS or any similar groups that spread violence and hatred, nor to give them any kind of support whatsoever".

"We call on all mosques and Islamic centres in the UK to address this issue with their congregations during their Friday sermons," it added.

The statement was put out by 12 Islamic centres, including the Finsbury Park Mosque in London and Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre in Birmingham.